Millions of pieces of ruble cover the streets and alleyways of Port-Au-Prince and its surrounding towns. Where will all this ruble go? Who will pick up the pieces…of broken buildings, families, organizations, communities? Someone will. But the broken pieces of our hearts…the hearts of those who wish they could do more…those pieces need to stay broken for now. When you bring love and hope to hurting people be prepared to leave a piece of your heart with them. We all fell to pieces yesterday morning as we gathered to say goodbye. I did not think it would be too difficult to leave…after all we had only been with them a few days. But when I looked in the face of Reniece and she shied away…looking back with tears in here eyes, it was all that I could handle. My heart fell to pieces. She hugged me till I jumped into the back of the truck to head to the airport. Reniece is the one who just a few weeks ago- at age 12- gave birth as a result of rape. It took most of the week for her to even sit with us…and for some reason she trusted me. I don’t know if she knew I would keep her safe, or she knew that I saw her as important despite the things that happened to her. Whatever the case, she grew comfortable enough to sit next to me- content just sharing her headphones listening to the radio. But I can not keep her safe as I sit in a McDonald's writing these words …I cant make sure something that devastating never happens again. I wish so much that I could. I will not forget Reniece, or Matthias, or Alexandra, or Sam, or Wikley, or Kenley...or all the other children at Eben-Ezer Orphanage. I will not forget them because I leave a piece of my heart behind. This is what happens- and I'm ok with that- because I believe Jesus' heart falls to pieces for them as well.
I wish that a Heart-quake would happen in all of us. A movement that shakes us to the core; makes us question our lives, our purpose and our dreams. When our hearts fall to pieces for those who are left broken in this world, we have the best chance of loving others the way Jesus does. His brokenness shows me love…my brokenness helps me understand that love…others brokenness helps me live that love. I pray your heart would fall to pieces when you see any life broken from they way God intends.
My Friend Rachel Weber's song Pieces took on some new meaning for me...I have a few of her cd's if you would like to hear it. or order one from the website http://rachelwebermusic.com
Till next time...
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I love that choice of words: HEARTQUAKE Good stuff Jake!
ReplyDeleteI randomly googled myself tonight - and you came up. I don't know that we'll ever meet, not that it matters, but I started reading your blog and thought I was reading things that I have written on my own blog.
ReplyDeleteHow is it that two people, far removed and having never met, can not only share the same name but share the same passion for seeing God move in the hearts of people? Share the same desire to see orphans cared for and the hungry fed? Share the same vision of people broken before God and moved to do whatever it takes to further His kingdom.
Thank you for your testimony.
Jacob Kirchner
Mississippi